THE 10 MOST BEAUTIFUL VILLAGES IN SPAIN TO VISIT IN WINTER
At Uller we love nature and weekend getaways to the closest rural passages. We like to connect with our roots and at the same time disconnect from the week. Walking on a sunny winter morning through the snowy streets of all those places that, although they seem to be forgotten, have become a tourist attraction. Do you want to know more about them? Here are the 10 most beautiful towns in Spain to visit in winter.
1. NAVACERRADA (MADRID)
We will start with an iconic place for ski lovers that has been open for years and that continues to receive winter sports enthusiasts every season. If you are one of them, and you want to discover more about Navacerrada, we assure you that it is the perfect place for a hiking route. In fact, the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park and the Cuenca Alta del Manzanares Regional Park have been declared a Biosphere Reserve due to their rich environment and biodiversity.
It is a place from which it is impossible to leave with an empty stomach. After the long walk, enjoy one of their dishes, which combine Madrid food with Segovian food. Looks like we've got a plan for you!
Some of the most popular places for its gastronomy are the Terraza Jardín Felipe, with an interior patio where you can enjoy roast suckling pig, El Abeto Bar famous for its torreznos which are considered the best in the Sierra de Guadarrama, and the restaurant Félix el Segoviano with incredible service and where you can't miss its chocolate with croutons.
2. RASCAFRÍA (MADRID)
Just 84 kilometers from Madrid we find this town that takes you away from the noise of the capital without moving too far from it. If in Navacerrada the best thing was its nature, in Rascafría you can enjoy a cultural heritage that will leave you speechless.
First of all, the Monastery of Santa María de El Paular, which has recently been restored, allowing it to recover its 15th-century colors and an altarpiece. On the other hand, the Bridge of Forgiveness, so called because according to legend it was here where prisoners who had committed an alleged crime were spared or not. The best thing is that you can discover legends like these among the wonderful streets.
At lunchtime, in any restaurant you can taste typical local products with a value for money that you will find in few other places. In addition, most of the dishes are homemade, like the traditional legumes that we recommend you try.
3. BUITRAGO DE LOZOYA (MADRID)
It is considered one of the most beautiful towns in the north of Madrid and Spain. During the spring or autumn it is the perfect plan to give yourself a weekend getaway and do a bit of hiking. In the summer months we recommend that you rent a canoeing boat to practice this activity on the Lozoya river.
Finally, for lovers of history and culture, this town has a castle, the Castillo de Lozoya, which you can climb and glimpse the incredible views it offers you.
4. BULNES (ASTURIAS)
We moved to the north, where it is not necessary to leave the city because instead of building cities on nature, nature surrounds them. However, as urbanites as we are, we cannot miss towns like Bulnes, in Asturias. An isolated and secluded town among the Picos de Europa. Only the lucky ones will be able to access this wonderful place hidden among the mountains, since cars, motorcycles or bicycles will be of no use to us, what is more rural than using your own legs to get to the places? Only walking for two hours you will reach this tourist jewel.
The atmosphere that is breathed in this town is very rural. Among the few Asturian houses there are a dozen residents. They also have a parish and a bar where you can eat the best stew you've ever tasted. Also, for those who fall in love with this place the most, you can spend the night in one of their accommodations.
Finally, we must mention Cabrales cheese as it is the gastronomic DNA of this Asturian place.
5. ESPOT (LLEIDA)
Espot is located in the Escrita River Valley and is part of Las Valls d´Àneu, in the Pallars Sobirà region. We can take a quiet walk among the mountains or visit the Santa Llogaia Parish Church. We can also climb the Torre dels Moros, which dates from the 12th century, has a circular floor plan and is 14 meters high. On the other hand, Pont de la Capella is a romantic bridge located in the urban area and is a very characteristic image of the town.
As for the natural environment, you can breathe the air of the Aigues Tortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park with more than 200 lakes or tobacconists. In addition, you can enjoy high mountain sports with incredible views. In fact, it has a ski resort that each season gathers many skiers who enjoy its 22 kilometers of slopes.
6. BESALU (GIRONA)
In another Catalan province, Girona, we find the town of Besalú famous for its medieval atmosphere that will make you feel like you have traveled back in time. You can walk across its ancient bridge dating from the 11th and 12th centuries or visit the Sant Pere Monastery, the Church of Sant Vicenc or its Plaza Mayor, surrounded by arches.
The beauty of this town and its famous bridge has made it the setting for many series and it has been brought to the big screen. Examples of this are the third season of Westworld in which Besalú became an Italian town under Nazi domination during World War II. With all this, in 2017 Basalú became what the Los Angeles Times described as the most interesting town you have never heard of.
7. CHELVA (CASTELLÓN)
Another of the outstanding towns of this community is Chelva, closer to Valencia than to Castellón, today it maintains a medieval essence with its narrow streets and labyrinthine with typical houses whitewashed The town has an incredible cultural richness in which in the past Arabs, Jews and Christians coexisted peacefully.
It belongs to the Los Serranos region and will have about a thousand inhabitants. In its historic center we recommend you go through the Plaza Mayor whose protagonist is the silhouette of the Church of the Angels built at the end of the 17th century.
8. CASTRO URDIALES (CANTABRIA)
Over a Roman settlement, this town has the charm of a cozy beach town that has grown a lot in recent years but still retains the tradition of a fishing village. The beauty of this town are the wooden balconies of medieval origin, which achieved recognition as a Historic Site.
As emblematic buildings of this town we have the church of Santa María near the castle-lighthouse, which is the protagonist of Castro Urdiales since it can be seen from any point of the town. It also has the Peña del Cuco cave that contains rock carvings from the Paleolithic. You can't miss it!
9. COMILLAS (CANTABRIA)
One of the most famous Cantabrian towns for its atmosphere and its rural but modern appearance at the same time. In addition, it is located between two places of great interest, the aforementioned town of Santillana del Mar and San Vicente de la Barquera.
In this place you have many things to enjoy, whether it's spending a perfect day at the beach, or seeing the work of Gaudí, who was a true fan of this town. There he designed El Capricho de Gaudí, a summer residence that resembled a doll's house with turrets and colorful tiles. Of course, you cannot miss a walk along the promenade and its beach, in addition to its varied and forceful gastronomy.
10. OCHAGALVIA (NAVARRE)
This town in Navarra has a very cozy and Christmas atmosphere, perfect for visiting in the winter season. Here you can enjoy a snowy walk, and the landscapes will seem almost magical. This town is perfect to go with children or enjoy a romantic weekend with someone special.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
- WHAT IS THE TOP 3 MOST BEAUTIFUL VILLAGES IN SPAIN?
In the top three of the most beautiful towns in Spain are Arcos de la Frontera in Andalusia, Trujillo in Extremadura, and Cadaqués in Catalonia. In addition, in 2021 the town of Puentedey in Burgos has been named the most beautiful town in Spain.
- WHAT IS THE MOST VISITED TOWN IN THE WORLD?
The most visited town in the world is located in Austria and is called Hallstatt. In fact, in 1997 the landscape of this Austrian town was declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco due to its high degree of conservation.
- IN WHAT SPANISH VILLAGE WAS THE FAMOUS FILM BY ALMODÓVAR “RETURN” FILMED?
The Spanish town where the film “Volver” was recorded was in the town of Almagro in 2005 in the main square where Penélope Cruz and Carmen Maura performed. The director was convinced by the atmosphere of the town and its streets.
- CAN I VISIT ANDRÉS INIESTA'S VILLAGE HOUSE?
The answer is yes, the footballer is originally from Fuentealbilla a town located in Albacete, which has developed a football tourism that goes from visiting Iniesta's house, his statue, the World Cup monument to his grandfather's bar.
- WHICH ARE THE VILLAGES WHERE YOU EAT BEST IN MADRID?
The towns where you can eat the best in Madrid are Chinchón, for its traditional Castilian cuisine where you cannot miss the stews, and Buitrago de Lozoya which will offer you incredible meats at the ember.
- WHAT IS THE TOWN WITH THE LESS INHABITANTS IN SPAIN?
The town with the fewest inhabitants in Spain is Illán de Vacas, in Toledo according to the National Institute of Statistics, with 5 inhabitants.
- WHERE ARE THE BEST VILLAGE FESTIVALS IN SPAIN?
The best town festivals in Spain are considered to be those of San Roque in Valladolid from August 15 to 18. This town is filled with screams, water and jumps, throwing this water from the balconies of the house of San Roque.
- WHICH TOWN IS MARC MÁRQUEZ FROM?
Marc Márquez was born in Cervera, Catalonia, a town with a great biker atmosphere that the pilot soaked up during his childhood. Marc Márquez always talks about this town and as soon as he can he goes to visit it.
- WHAT IS THE BEST TOWN IN SPAIN TO GO SURFING?
The best town in Spain for surfing is Mundaka located in Vizcaya, which, for many, registers the best wave in all of Spain and Europe. In fact, it has become a place of pilgrimage for surf lovers.
- WHAT IS THE BEST TOWN IN THE WORLD TO GO SKIING?
The best town in the world to go skiing is Girdwood in Alaska, once dedicated to mining and logging and now living off ski and snowboard tourism.
